New Delhi: The Punjab Assembly Election 2017 for the 114 seats will be held on February 4, while the results will be announced on March 11.
A press conference was held at noon, on 4 January, where Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi announced a list of dates including the last date of filing nominations, when each state will vote, the day of counting and other details related to security, transparency, facilities etc.
After the announcement by the election commission of India (ECI) for assembly polls in Punjab, an immediate imposition of model code of conduct coming into effect. EC have already rolled out instructions for the state government to post the inspector generals of police, deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police as per their policy.
Political parties particularly the ruling SAD-BJP combine have been asked to remove the pictures of all the political functionaries from the government websites and also asked the government not to give advertisements in the name of government now, especially after the imposition of the poll code.
Electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used for polling and voters will be provided with paper trail in specified constituencies. Ballot papers will have the pictures of candidates.
THREE CORNERED CONTEST
Historically ,Punjab assembly elections have been a bipolar affair. The party in the opposition would claim the anti-incumbency votes. But this time the situation is different. However, the opposition is divided between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party.
Most of the candidates will be locked in a triangular contest as both Congress and AAP are eager to capitalise on the anti-incumbency votes. The fourth front has failed to mobilise itself as a force and will only weaken their parent parties .
In other words, these parties will try to polarise the votes by raising the issues, mainly failures of the SAD-BJP government . However, a division in the anti-incumbency votes may not benefit these parties.
However, both AAP and Congress are at a daggers drawn and have announced waiving off of farmer loans besides a host of other promises to woo the voters.
Here’s a ready reckoner for the coming elections:
- The last date for filing nominations is 18 January
- The scrutiny of nominations will take place on 19 January
- The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 21 January
- Elections will be held on February 4
- Results will be announced on March 11
- Number of seats: 114
- Ruling alliance: Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP
The results of Punjab Assembly Elections 2012
- Akali Dal: 56 seats, 34.7% voteshare
- Congress:Â 46 seats; 40% voteshare
- BJP:Â 12 seats; 7% voteshare
- Others:Â 3 seats
Alleging that there will be law and order problem during the elections, Mr Kejriwal has appealed to the Election Commission to deploy maximum Central paramilitary forces in Punjab.